REVISED MASK POLICY
As vaccine rates are increasing and COVID cases are decreasing across NY, public employers are changing mask requirements, this includes the Court system. Today’s memo issued by OCA does not require employees to disclose vaccination status, and therefore is not discriminatory in nature, nor does it prevent employees who are not vaccinated from entering the courthouses; as a result the Union does not believe this new voluntary procedure violates the Civil Service Law, the collective bargaining agreement or HIPPA rights. CSEA is awaiting the issuance of a more complete description of the new mask policy before making any further assessments.
VOTING LEAVE
Please see the attached notice regarding excused leave to vote in the June 2021 primary elections. Those members that do not have 4 consecutive hours to vote before or after their shift are entitled to request leave. As required for previous elections you may be required furnish proof of active voter registration in order to substantiate the use of this excused leave, i.e. copy of your voter registration card or online voter registration status, correspondence from Board of Elections. You may access your voter registration status online at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS SURVEYS
The contract negotiations team has begun the process of preparing for contract negotiations with the Unified court system. One of the key factors in this process is determining what is important to you, our members. Last week the electronic version of our contract negotiations survey was sent to those of you whose email addresses are registered with CSEA. Printed surveys and letters, with return envelope included, have been sent to those members whose email addresses CSEA does not have. If you have not registered online with CSEA and would like to register for future informational blasts, announcements and surveys, you can do so at the CSEA Inc. website here: https://cseany.org/ and sign up for messages to your home email and phone. The return date set for the hard copies will be no later than July 6th, 2021. If you do not receive a survey by June 15 please notify Surinda Singh at Surinda.singh@cseainc.org. Negotiations dates in August and September are currently being set between CSEA and OCA representatives.
COVID VACCINATIONS
Please be advised that should you choose to receive the Covid vaccine, at the time of your vaccination you request proof of the date and time of your appointment. Many walk-in clinics are not providing that information and without it, HR departments are unable to approve the appropriate amount of compensatory time given to members.
UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT/ BLAZER ALLOWANCE
CSEA has received confirmation that the Uniform and equipment allowance along with the Blazer allowance payments have been scheduled to be made June 23rd.
PEOPLE PROGRAM CONTEST
The CSEA/AFSCME PEOPLE program is hosting a $50 pre-paid debit card contest this summer. To enter, members simply provide their name, email address and phone number. On the last day of each month, from May to October, one CSEA member will be randomly selected to win.
Look for more contest information at upcoming region, local and unit membership events, or enter the contest on our website.
SAVE THE DATE – WE ARE HEADING TO CORTLAND COUNTY
Thank-you to those of you who signed up to attend our drive-through event on Monday, June 14, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm, at the NYS DOT Polkville Residency located at 4771 Route 41in Cortland, NY. I look forward to seeing you there.